It’s no secret that the New York Yankees have had a serious problem in the infield throughout the season, and if we’re putting a name to it, it’s Anthony Volpe. What they never expected to happen has come to pass: the shortstop has had one of his worst seasons since arriving in Major League Baseball, and now the team is reportedly looking for his replacement.
And they might not have to look far, as they could be one of the teams pursuing one of the most coveted free agents this winter.
Is Bo Bichette the replacement for Anthony Volpe?
The shortstop has spent his entire career with the Toronto Blue Jays, so he’s no stranger to the rivalry between the two teams in the American League East. This offseason, he could become a free agent with a potential price tag of up to $128 million.
Enter the Yankees, a team with deep pockets and an evident need to secure a shortstop at a good value.
Anthony Volpe has become one of the most criticized figures within the Yankees organization, having committed 18 errors this season, second only to Elly De La Cruz, the Cincinnati Redsshortstop. Offensively, things aren’t much better, with a slash line of .207/.271/.398, his worst numbers in his three-year MLB career.
While he hasn’t been a consistent hitter, Volpe has hit 19 home runs this season and is on track to surpass the 20-home-run mark in 2025. Even so, manager Aaron Boone remains his biggest supporter, reiterating that his offensive contributions are enough to justify his spot in the Yankees’ lineup and that his defensive struggles are merely a bump in the road.
The potential arrival of Bo Bichette in New York would represent an immediate upgrade. At 27 years old, the Blue Jays shortstop brings more Major League experience and far more consistent offensive production, with a .307/.352/.477 slash line this season. Defensively, while he has 12 errors-placing him in the top 10 for most miscues-his record is clearly better than Volpe’s 18. For the Yankees, this would be a double win: strengthening the position while simultaneously weakening a key divisional rival by pulling the two-time All-Star out of their dugout.
The Yankees‘ numbers against Toronto this year have been discouraging, with just three wins in ten matchups. Heading into the final stretch, the Yankees will need to be near-perfect in their last regular-season series against the Blue Jays if they hope to secure a playoff spot and, in the process, reclaim the American League East lead.
Read the full article here
